Broody hen lay eggs chicks

[ange]

I think I know the answer to this one, but. My broody hen, is sitting on her nest, with and without eggs. If I leave a egg under there, will it hatch? We do not have a rooster, so it was not fertilized, someone said she can still sit on it and it will still hatch a chick. I say no, since it was not fertilized. Opions?

 

[peachlover]

Are you open to opinions only, or would you like a fact? Opinion: if she hatches an unfertile egg than that would be a great chicken to keep. Fact: unfertile eggs will not hatch, but one could always experiment. Have fun

 

[wvgal61]

 

[Keara]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/837/parthenogenesis-embryonic-development-in-unfertilized-eggs-may-impact-normal-fertilization-and-embryonic-mortality


Actually a chick can hatch from an unfertilized egg it is called parthenogenesis. It's rare I'll grant you, but it happens. Mostly it happens in cornish hen eggs. See above referenced link.

Happens more frequently in frogs and such....

 

[peachlover]

Quote:
Fascinating, thanks for sharing.